A Russian drone strike on a shopping mall in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih killed at least 16 people and wounded 130 others, including 23 children, in one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in recent weeks.
According to Al Jazeera, the attack took place on Friday in Kryvyi Rih, central Ukraine, and was carried out in two waves. Ukrainian officials said the second drone strike hit after emergency responders had arrived at the scene to assist victims, a tactic Kyiv says has increasingly been used to target rescue workers.
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strike as a “cowardly and deliberate” attack on civilians and accused Russia of intentionally targeting a busy shopping center in his hometown. He described the assault as “extremely cruel and hateful” and called for international accountability.
Emergency services said at least 16 people were killed and 130 others were injured, with 23 children among the wounded. Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings and assisting survivors following the attack.
Zelensky vowed that Ukraine would respond to the strike and urged Ukraine’s allies to maintain pressure on Moscow and strengthen support for Kyiv’s air defense capabilities.
The latest attack comes as Russia has intensified drone and missile strikes across Ukraine, while Kyiv continues to warn that repeated attacks on civilian infrastructure are causing growing humanitarian losses and placing additional strain on emergency services.
